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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Feb 27, 2015 14:31:01 GMT
Pyotr watched as the columns of men marched out of their mustering fields and towards the Polish borders. It had been a tough few years since the initial success against Sweden. The unthinkable alliance between Poland and the Ottomans had been disastrous. It was clear that the Poles would not invade until the Ottomans had begun to take more territory along the Volga. Russia was running out of time, and Pyotr was running out of support. Now he could either wait and watch as the Poles sharpened their swords and the Ottomans marched on, or he could make one last throw of the dice, he could make one last attempt at ending this war, or at least tip the balance.
The combined army marches from Vitebsk and makes its way in Polotsk. The army is given its marching orders and will deploy for battle when the enemy is sighted. If the Polish should choose to hide like the dogs they are then the army will lay siege to the regional capitol.
Army of the Imperial Guard (Bolstered by the Army of Poland) - Moscow (Commanded by Tsar Pyotr)
-31,400 irregulars
-10,000 pikemen
-8,900 Preobrazhensky lifegaurds
-7,900 line infantry
-6,000 hussars
-4,500 ulans
-2,500 Cossacks
-1,100 dragoons
-300 Howitzer
-285 Field Guns
-1,000 engineers
OOC: I know that the Poles are written down as garrisoning Vitenbsk, but it was at this point Russian, not Polish. The Poles owned the neighbouring province of Polotsk.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Mar 2, 2015 20:34:20 GMT
OOC: Just to confirm, the siege of Polotsk has now entered it's second year.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 3, 2015 13:04:59 GMT
OOC: Cowardly bloody Poles. Is the city ripe for assault?
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Mar 3, 2015 13:49:37 GMT
OOC: You can begin bombardment if you wish.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 3, 2015 15:36:50 GMT
In that case the city is to be surrounded and the Siege artillery and engineers will make preparations to bombard the city. Orders are given that multiple breaches are to be opened in the walls, allowing for assaults from different directions, thus stretching the defenders thinly. The cavalry will maintain order in the province and will ensure that provisions are found for the army. Whilst informing the population that they are now under Russian rule.
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Post by Guesto Magnifico on Mar 5, 2015 13:07:45 GMT
Where IS Jan? Is he busy, as his ladt post was a week or more past.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2015 13:41:47 GMT
OoC: He is a busy man. Big things going. Many fingers in many pies.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 5, 2015 15:46:34 GMT
OOC: Such a naughty boy.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 7, 2015 18:12:30 GMT
Boris huddled up next to the small camp-fire as a ball of tumble weed skipped past him. It had been a lengthy siege, but nothing had happened. The seemingly colossal Polish army had not materialised. Rumours were abounding that they had spent the last year growing fat and could no longer mount their horses, these rumours were probably untrue. But nonetheless, it had been a shockingly quiet campaign...
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 10, 2015 14:01:28 GMT
Boris gulped down the last of his food "Is there any more?"
"No Boris you idiot! That's the last of it!" The camp chef was almost in tears. That food was his life...
Boris looked over at the walls of the Polish city, they had been continuously battered for months and were showing significant gaps in many places "I bet you they have more Borscht in there... Borscht and women I bet!"
"Yes Boris, but they are busy eating it, sitting on their nice soft beds! Going for walks and spending Sunday in church." The chef was now licking the plate, trying to get the last smears of Borscht into his mouth.
"Well then my dear chef, let us hope that God is on our side! Soon we will be eating their Borscht and rocking their beds! But I don't think I can bring myself to go to Church... I have suffered enough these last few months!" Boris laughed and slapped his knee.
After a few seconds of silence the chef (along with the rest of the tents occupants) fell about laughing and guffawing.
Then the bugle sounded....
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Mar 10, 2015 15:04:33 GMT
OOC: Thanks for the introduction  Boris stumbled out of the catering tent, to see Tsar Pyotr standing upon a battlement examining the fort of Polotsk. Several breaches had been opened up and the men were organising for the march. The Russians outnumbered the Commonweath troops heavily, though it seemed the men considered 'Golden Liberty' a virtue worth dying for. Particularly since they had heard tell of what the Russians did to their own population. The Russians, without any clear direction, adopted a policy of overwhelming force and charged. The irregulars took the brunt of the fort's defences, but quickly swarmed the fortress. They were followed in by the Russian elite Preobrazhensky lifeguards, lightly armoured but well trained and effective in a melee, they quickly overwhelmed the remaining defenders. The Russian standard flew high as Pyotr entered the fort. As he entered, he watched as his men escorted inhabitants to cells. Men, women and children cried for mercy as the irregulars went from house to house. Ultimately, it was Pyotr's choice on how to treat the prisoners, though prolonged inaction may spur his irregulars to conduct themselves without honour. Losses, Garnizon z Vitebsk: Irregulars: - 1,800 dead, 200 captured Line Infantry: - 700 dead, 300 captured Militia cavalry: - 900 dead, 100 captured Field guns: - 50 destroyed. Russian losses: 5,000 irregulars dead 500 line infantry dead 500 lifeguards dead Result: Russian Victory. Russia lost many men, but the result of the battle was never in doubt. |
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 11, 2015 15:39:24 GMT
Pyotr allows his men to run wild for a few hours before ordering the Lifeguards to restore order.
Food and materiel is taken from the populace in order to supply the army. The region is annexed and a governor is appointed. Some irregulars are left to maintain order whilst the army takes men from the townsfolk to replace losses. The army will take a couple of weeks to rest before new orders are issued.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Mar 11, 2015 16:11:36 GMT
Events of thievery, rape and murder are reported from Polotsk, this will undermine future attempts to win over hearts and minds.
Russian reinforcements from Moscow arrive.
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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Mar 11, 2015 20:24:00 GMT
The reinforcements are incorporated into the army. Pyotr orders all under strength units be brought up to fighting strength. After a few weeks the army makes ready to march.
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